St Joseph Christian has been stronger in the past, North Andrew has been under the direction of a longtime coach (Helen Archer, I believe), but Pattonsburg's coming from a conference with practically no presence in Scholar Bowl (the HDC). Ditto for Trenton, which has been independent. The move takes effect in 2016.

Fri Feb 06, 2015 11:05 pm

L-Town Expatriate

Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2004Posts: 5442Location: Riding a Mule down the Katy Trail to the State Fair

As a result, Milan and Putnam County are moving to the Grand River. That's going to be a behemoth of a schedule when it comes to Scholar Bowl, especially if GRC keep their quads on Tuesday nights in March. Meanwhile, Tri-Rivers (who had two schools at state last year!) will be down to four schools: Schuyler, Scotland, Knox County and North Shelby.

Thu Feb 19, 2015 12:55 pm

L-Town Expatriate

Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2004Posts: 5442Location: Riding a Mule down the Katy Trail to the State Fair

Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2004Posts: 5442Location: Riding a Mule down the Katy Trail to the State Fair

Re: Conference Carousel

Fire up the carousel again; it's Smithville planning a (long-overdue, IMHO) move to the Suburban Conferences. If they're accepted for membership, the move is tentatively scheduled for the 2018-19 school year. Midland Empire would be down to seven members if they don't find a replacement.

Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2004Posts: 5442Location: Riding a Mule down the Katy Trail to the State Fair

Re: Conference Carousel

The latest moves among the largest schools in Southwest Missouri:

*Two moves became official in the past month, as Carl Junction's move to the Central Ozarks Conference's large division took effect. McDonald County replaced Carl Junction in the Big 8.*Joplin will join the COC large division in July 2018. Road trips won't be as distant for the Eagles, as they'll be leaving the Ozark Conference.*Springfield Central will assume Joplin's place in the Ozark Conference in July 2018. The Bulldogs are currently independent.

Wed Aug 24, 2016 2:14 pm

L-Town Expatriate

Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2004Posts: 5442Location: Riding a Mule down the Katy Trail to the State Fair

Re: Conference Carousel

Warsaw is leaving the Tri-County Central to form a new conference in 2018, reportedly with El Dorado Springs, Cass County Sherwood, Cole Camp, Butler and Buffalo. The formation of the Ozark Highlands Conference will also cause an immediate issue with the complexion of the Crossroads Conference, and will eventually ripple into nearby conferences as Tri-County and Crossroads look for replacements.

Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2004Posts: 5442Location: Riding a Mule down the Katy Trail to the State Fair

Re: Conference Carousel

L-Town Expatriate wrote:

Fire up the carousel again; it's Smithville planning a (long-overdue, IMHO) move to the Suburban Conferences. If they're accepted for membership, the move is tentatively scheduled for the 2018-19 school year. Midland Empire would be down to seven members if they don't find a replacement.

Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2004Posts: 5442Location: Riding a Mule down the Katy Trail to the State Fair

Re: Conference Carousel

I have also learned that Saint Pius X of Kansas City will be replacing Smithville in the Midland Empire. While this brings the MEC back to eight, this only causes continued uncertainty in the West Central. It's also compounded by the upcoming merger of O'Hara & St Mary's high schools into St Michael the Archangel of Lee's Summit in August 2017. They will compete in the WCC, keeping them at five come July 2018. However, that results in just three Missouri schools (Barstow, Summit Christian & Van Horn) in the Crossroads.

Meanwhile, I've heard from two sources that the West Central Conference will dissolve after June 2018. As it stands, Clinton and Smith Cotton will end up independent. No word on whether Center or St Michael the Archangel are joining the GKCSA or also treading as independents.

Wed Jan 18, 2017 9:00 am

L-Town Expatriate

Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2004Posts: 5442Location: Riding a Mule down the Katy Trail to the State Fair

Re: Conference Carousel

During tonight's Center School Board meeting, the superintendent will present information concerning their conference status. According to the board packet on their website, the GKCSA has reportedly informed Center that they would be admitted to the association if they make a formal application. However, a survey of their coaches appears to indicate some reluctance to embrace Suburban Conference membership.

Mon Jan 23, 2017 2:56 pm

L-Town Expatriate

Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2004Posts: 5442Location: Riding a Mule down the Katy Trail to the State Fair

Of those schools mentioned, Community and Wellsville are currently in the EMO, Higbee (in south-central Randolph County) is in the Cooper County Activities Association, Madison is the easternmost member of the CAC, and North Shelby and Marion County are independents. At present, Marion County does not have a scholar bowl program, Wellsville has won the last two EMO championships, and North Shelby racked up several Tri-Rivers titles prior to that conference's dissolution last year. The formation of this conference has the potential to also influence the memberships of the Show-Me and GAC.

Wed Feb 01, 2017 9:51 am

L-Town Expatriate

Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2004Posts: 5442Location: Riding a Mule down the Katy Trail to the State Fair

To clarify the vote: five schools voted in favor while four opposed; six votes were needed to admit Bolivar. Joplin presumably abstained on account of their move to the COC. As noted above, Springfield Central will replace Joplin.

Tue Feb 07, 2017 8:23 am

DeckardCain

Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004Posts: 4362Location: Ozark, Missouri

Re: Conference Carousel

I guess I never posted this: Viburnum joined the Black River League, starting this year. The BRL does not sponsor quizbowl, as far as I can tell. Viburnum also remained in the Gasconade Valley Conference (which does sponsor quizbowl), so they now have two separate conference affiliations.

Wed Feb 08, 2017 3:57 pm

L-Town Expatriate

Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2004Posts: 5442Location: Riding a Mule down the Katy Trail to the State Fair

To clarify the vote: five schools voted in favor while four opposed; six votes were needed to admit Bolivar. Joplin presumably abstained on account of their move to the COC. As noted above, Springfield Central will replace Joplin.

Of those schools mentioned, Community and Wellsville are currently in the EMO, Higbee (in south-central Randolph County) is in the Cooper County Activities Association, Madison is the easternmost member of the CAC, and North Shelby and Marion County are independents. At present, Marion County does not have a scholar bowl program, Wellsville has won the last two EMO championships, and North Shelby racked up several Tri-Rivers titles prior to that conference's dissolution last year. The formation of this conference has the potential to also influence the memberships of the Show-Me and GAC.

Discussions on this proposed new conference has fizzled. It's my understanding that discussions ended when one of its proponents announced they were leaving for a gig in a different part of the state.

Community was the only one that went so far as to announce plans to leave their current conference. They will join the CAC next fall. Get ready for road trips to Pilot Grove & Slater!

Wed Aug 30, 2017 12:01 pm

L-Town Expatriate

Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2004Posts: 5442Location: Riding a Mule down the Katy Trail to the State Fair

As it stands, having eschewed the Clarence Cannon's dual schedules, Louisiana will have at least four extra tournaments to work with during Michael Powers' senior year, and will have to go toe-to-toe with Wellsville, Montgomery County, Elsberry, Clopton, and six other programs.

If the CCC stand pat at eight and still stick with their dual schedule, that means one more tournament slot for Brookfield, Centralia, Clark County, Palmyra and South Shelby.

Thu Sep 21, 2017 2:03 pm

L-Town Expatriate

Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2004Posts: 5442Location: Riding a Mule down the Katy Trail to the State Fair

Quite likely it's football driving this move. Presuming Greenfield returns to 11-man football in 2018, they'll have 10 programs. (And frankly, Pleasant Hope will lose all those games handily.)

Mon Oct 16, 2017 12:02 pm

L-Town Expatriate

Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2004Posts: 5442Location: Riding a Mule down the Katy Trail to the State Fair

Re: Conference Carousel

Per Monett Times and Cassville Democrat sports editor Jared Lankford, Purdy and Southwest R-V will move to the Southwest Central Conference in July 2018. Not sure what this is going to do to the rest of the Ozark 7.

Tue Dec 19, 2017 1:33 pm

L-Town Expatriate

Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2004Posts: 5442Location: Riding a Mule down the Katy Trail to the State Fair

Re: Conference Carousel

And it turns out another major shift is occurring in 2018 in Southwest Missouri. Behold: a new Southwest Conference. Schools forming the new conference are Ash Grove, Diamond, Lockwood, Marionville, Miller, Pierce City, Pleasant Hope, and Sarcoxie.

Ash Grove, Marionville and Pleasant Hope will move from the Mid-Lakes. Left behind are Fair Grove, Skyline, Stockton and Strafford.Diamond, Lockwood, Miller, Pierce City and Sarcoxie will move from the Spring River Valley. (Pleasant Hope had been slated to move from the Mid-Lakes to SRVC next season.) Regardless, schools left behind are College Heights, Golden City, Greenfield, Jasper and Liberal.

Fri Dec 22, 2017 9:20 pm

L-Town Expatriate

Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2004Posts: 5442Location: Riding a Mule down the Katy Trail to the State Fair

Re: Conference Carousel

L-Town Expatriate wrote:

And it turns out another major shift is occurring in 2018 in Southwest Missouri. Behold: a new Southwest Conference. Schools forming the new conference are Ash Grove, Diamond, Lockwood, Marionville, Miller, Pierce City, Pleasant Hope, and Sarcoxie.

Ash Grove, Marionville and Pleasant Hope will move from the Mid-Lakes. Left behind are Fair Grove, Skyline, Stockton and Strafford.Diamond, Lockwood, Miller, Pierce City and Sarcoxie will move from the Spring River Valley. (Pleasant Hope had been slated to move from the Mid-Lakes to SRVC next season.) Regardless, schools left behind are College Heights, Golden City, Greenfield, Jasper and Liberal.

A follow-up from the Monett Times speculates on the fate of Southwest Missouri's small school conferences next year. The speculation involves two additions to the WEMO.

Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2004Posts: 5442Location: Riding a Mule down the Katy Trail to the State Fair

Re: Conference Carousel

More realignment intrigue now surfacing in Quincy. Yes, Illinois.

The Herald-Whig reports that Quincy Notre Dame has been approached about membership in a potential mega football conference involving members of the AAA and Metro conferences, starting in 2021. Wouldn't impact quiz bowl directly, but having QND & other Illinois parochials networking with ADs from one of our more active conferences (AAA) could lead to more activity from their members.

Wed Jan 10, 2018 10:42 pm

L-Town Expatriate

Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2004Posts: 5442Location: Riding a Mule down the Katy Trail to the State Fair

The Suburban Conferences of St Louis do not host a quiz bowl championship; however, this could prove an interesting development in the grand scheme of things.

Mon Feb 05, 2018 9:48 pm

DeckardCain

Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004Posts: 4362Location: Ozark, Missouri

Re: Conference Carousel

L-Town Expatriate wrote:

L-Town Expatriate wrote:

And it turns out another major shift is occurring in 2018 in Southwest Missouri. Behold: a new Southwest Conference. Schools forming the new conference are Ash Grove, Diamond, Lockwood, Marionville, Miller, Pierce City, Pleasant Hope, and Sarcoxie.

Ash Grove, Marionville and Pleasant Hope will move from the Mid-Lakes. Left behind are Fair Grove, Skyline, Stockton and Strafford.Diamond, Lockwood, Miller, Pierce City and Sarcoxie will move from the Spring River Valley. (Pleasant Hope had been slated to move from the Mid-Lakes to SRVC next season.) Regardless, schools left behind are College Heights, Golden City, Greenfield, Jasper and Liberal.

A follow-up from the Monett Times speculates on the fate of Southwest Missouri's small school conferences next year. The speculation involves two additions to the WEMO.

That's quite an expansive (potential) conference. Butler and Sherwood* are both over 150 miles away from Forsyth according to Google Maps.

*Assuming that this is the high school in Creighton, MO, and not some other Sherwood of which I am unaware.

Wed Feb 07, 2018 11:56 pm

Reklaw

Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2015Posts: 29

Re: Conference Carousel

You are correct about Sherwood.

This conference is being formed surrounding Football (per the usual) and the shift of many schools to various conferences in the next few years. Several schools have been talking with each other for a while, and rather then leaving someone in the cold with a bad setup for their enrollment/programs, this conference has formed to get a highly-competitive group together for most events. Talks are already happening as to specifics for individual events and how those will play out, though beyond having a North and South division, not much else has materialized for specifics. All schools, regardless of join date, are giving input at regular meetings. I'm personally hoping for a more-competitive setup for Scholar Bowl for my school, as our current conference system is rather mundane and tedious as we take 8 weeks to do a tournament. All schools participating have confirmed they have a Scholar Bowl program, so hopefully there will be a decent tournament formed.

I know there is potential for at least one more southern school, though I don't have details who they've talked to. Some schools (like Clever) are joining temporary conferences between this year and 2020, but will join this conference as it completely starts in 2020. The goal is to have rules, setup, etc in place by 2019 so all schools can hash out specific details within the last year and there isn't a "rush" to figure it out. They want to have a North/south champion, and a Champion of the whole conference.

Also, I have heard unconfirmed rumor that Purdy is taking Clever's place in SWCL, though that is by word-of-mouth only as I haven't spoken to anyone at Purdy or heard it from anyone other then passing rumors.

Thu Feb 08, 2018 10:11 am

L-Town Expatriate

Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2004Posts: 5442Location: Riding a Mule down the Katy Trail to the State Fair

Re: Conference Carousel

Reklaw wrote:

Also, I have heard unconfirmed rumor that Purdy is taking Clever's place in SWCL, though that is by word-of-mouth only as I haven't spoken to anyone at Purdy or heard it from anyone other then passing rumors.

Purdy & Southwest R-V are en route to the SWCL - I believe that was reported in December.

Reklaw wrote:

I know there is potential for at least one more southern school, though I don't have details who they've talked to. Some schools (like Clever) are joining temporary conferences between this year and 2020, but will join this conference as it completely starts in 2020. The goal is to have rules, setup, etc in place by 2019 so all schools can hash out specific details within the last year and there isn't a "rush" to figure it out. They want to have a North/south champion, and a Champion of the whole conference.

Speculation: I'd keep an eye on Versailles. I was at the meeting last year where they voted 4-3 to turn down an invite to the Ozark Highlands in favor of staying with the Tri-County Central. There's been some concern about competitive balance (*cough*BlairOaksFootball*cough*SoBoCoSoccer*cough*etc.etc.*cough*), and two board members were on the fence, wanting to see how the new conference forms. If the OMC is holding out for someone, it might be to determine if Versailles wants to travel west to Butler & Sherwood rather than northeast to Hallsville. If this speculation proves accurate, Stockton would shuffle to the south.

Reklaw wrote:

I'm personally hoping for a more-competitive setup for Scholar Bowl for my school, as our current conference system is rather mundane and tedious as we take 8 weeks to do a tournament. All schools participating have confirmed they have a Scholar Bowl program, so hopefully there will be a decent tournament formed.

Hopefully a good setup comes about. There will be varying views: my understanding is that Mid-Lakes is MSHSAA standard, while the Crossroads has just 15 tossups per game (they have four schools in Kansas, so the watered down game prevails).

Thu Feb 08, 2018 10:32 am

Reklaw

Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2015Posts: 29

Re: Conference Carousel

L-Town Expatriate wrote:

Hopefully a good setup comes about. There will be varying views: my understanding is that Mid-Lakes is MSHSAA standard, while the Crossroads has just 15 tossups per game (they have four schools in Kansas, so the watered down game prevails).

I have put in some feedback to my principal (at his request) before a few of their meetings concerning "Important information" about Scholar Bowl, including an offer to head-up or be a part of a committee of coaches who would outline the annual tournament and distribute duties. From what I understand, the specifics of Scholar Bowl are more detailed then a lot of AD/Principals thought. The opinions on question format are split from the few coaches I know, though it does seem many incoming schools will be used to a one-day Saturday tournament instead of spreading it out over 7 weeks (WOO!!!). I don't know much else as I generally don't hear from several of these when I invite for my yearly tournament and I haven't seen many of them at other competitions. I know a lot of consensus in this area in general is that MSHSAA format at conference is good practice for the District/State series as the conference set is the only one that can be bought in the MSHSAA format from NAQT.

L-Town Expatriate wrote:

Purdy & Southwest R-V are en route to the SWCL - I believe that was reported in December.

It appears it was here I heard that rumor...I couldn't remember where it was!

Thu Feb 08, 2018 11:24 am

L-Town Expatriate

Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2004Posts: 5442Location: Riding a Mule down the Katy Trail to the State Fair

Re: Conference Carousel

Reklaw wrote:

I have put in some feedback to my principal (at his request) before a few of their meetings concerning "Important information" about Scholar Bowl, including an offer to head-up or be a part of a committee of coaches who would outline the annual tournament and distribute duties. From what I understand, the specifics of Scholar Bowl are more detailed then a lot of AD/Principals thought. The opinions on question format are split from the few coaches I know, though it does seem many incoming schools will be used to a one-day Saturday tournament instead of spreading it out over 7 weeks (WOO!!!). I don't know much else as I generally don't hear from several of these when I invite for my yearly tournament and I haven't seen many of them at other competitions. I know a lot of consensus in this area in general is that MSHSAA format at conference is good practice for the District/State series as the conference set is the only one that can be bought in the MSHSAA format from NAQT.

I believe NAQT has made available each of the original IS sets they've converted to the conference packets, if a conference requests to use them in 20/20 format. So far that's been done in three of the five conferences that have switched to 20/20, as well St Charles' county league.

Thu Feb 08, 2018 11:45 am

Reklaw

Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2015Posts: 29

Re: Conference Carousel

True, but a school cannot book a MSHSAA style packet from NAQT for other tournaments. While I personally like the 20/20 format, many coaches I spoke with in the area see the conference as the only chance to get (their term) "real practice for districts" if they book the conference set for the conference meet. Otherwise many coaches feel like their students are flying blind when it comes to the MSHSAA Meets. I know many in my current conference wish more MSHSAA style were available for practice as they're relying on 4+year old sets from conference meets in their team practices.

This is my perception of public opinion based on a small amount of interactions, though I have heard it from a lot of local coaches.

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